My fingers outlined the various books on the shelf till I found my favourite one "The Fault In Our Stars".Taking seat on the couch in my room, I tucked my feet underneath me.Opening the book I started from chapter One.

I was half way through chapter three when a knock sounded on the door breaking the comfortable silence of the room.Talia peeked her head inside, smiling at me.Standing up from my place I motioned her whispering,

"Come in."

She elegantly walked towards the bed sitting on the edge.I sat besides her.She wore her pajamas and her hair were in a messy bun.Her face void of any makeup.I intertwined my fingers together waiting for her to speak.

"You have a nice room." She said looking around.

I smiled in return.She looked at me and then said,

"So you and Salah are cousins."

Nodding at her I returned my head to the book in my lap.Maybe Talia observed it because she said,

"Oh.Its my favourite book.I just love it."

Not wanting to be rude I agreed with her.She was Salah's friend and he had brought her home.She was our guest now.And there wasn't any harm in loosening up a bit.My subconsciousness remarked.

"Yeah its a great book."This time I smiled and daring I asked her.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Okay"She said before she signed.Turning towards me she sat crossed leg on the bed and I copied her actions as she started,

"My parents got divorced when I was fifteen.So now I am only in contact with my father.I was in high school when I first met Salah and through the passing year we became good friends.After college we both started work in the same firm so we are colleagues now.Salah has always been my only friend.Although I live in California,I would love to move to Paris.Its always been my dream and my mum's. "

She whispered the last part her eyes moving up to my face.Placing my hand on hers I squeezed it gently.Shaking her head she continued,

"I've no regrets because I was never close to her.She wanted to live freely and we freed her.Although my father loved her but still she couldn't stay."

She laughed bitterly and then said,

"Salah asked me if I would go to his home.I was first not sure but now I am so happy that I agreed at that time.Although my late decision caused him to cancel his flight."

She smiled brightly as if living those moments again.But her words had struck me hard.Squeezing my heart and breaking another piece of it.Salah had lied to his parents and to Aunty Firdous too.I was shocked but I didn't show it.And Talia again spoke gaining my attention.

"Coming here shows me a different phase of life.A new side maybe.I've never been loved so much like I've been here.Aunty Neelum, your mom wouldn't stop filling my plate with food and Daadi Ma, Aunty Naheed.Everyone is so caring here.I've never had anyone in my life this caring and loving.And I've had had so many people in my dinner table.It was just always me. "

Her voice lowered.Her expression saddened.I felt really bad.Placing a hand on her shoulder I said,

"You don't have to be sad.We're always there for you and my Mom is also your Mom.As long as you stay here you will be showered with love from all of us."

Talia nodded and took my hand in hers.

"Shahwar, your family is really an ideal one.Your so lucky."

"ALHAMDULILLAH" I muttered under my breath.

"So tell me about Salah and you.You two are expected to get married."Her eyes lit up and I smiled shyly.
Another hour passed as I told her my story.We yawned together and laughed too.

Talia said she wanted me to walk to her room as it was downstairs and it was late too.So I walked her to her bedroom.Before going upstairs I fetched a cold water bottle from the Kitchen.
As I passed Salah's room which was towards the stairs and across from mine Aunty Meena walked out yawning.Seeing me she kissed my head and said 'Goodnight'. Wishing her the same I looked up to Salah as he came to shut his door.He smiled at me but I was too frozen to respond.His hair were falling on his eyes.His green orbs never leaving mine.

At that time I thought I loved him from all my heart and he could only break me and make me.His smile had somehow healed the broken pieces of my heart and then as soon as realization hit me I smiled back.

***
A week had passed, Talia and I had bonded greatly.She was as beautiful inside as she was outside.She asked for some Shalwar Kameez from me because she didn't wanted to wear jeans and shirts.Mama had brought new clothes for her and she was very happy.

Putting the tray inside the oven I instructed Shiza and Shazia to get cleaned up.We three were baking cookies and the girls were experts as they helped me around the kitchen.I was cleaning the counter when Salah walked in.A water bottle in his hand.

"Hey, smell good.What are you making?"

Looking up at him, he was now across from me leaning against the counter.I said softly,

"S..Shiza and Shazia were helping me bake cookies."

"Hm"He said.

He observed my features making my heart go on a marathon.Rounding the counter he came besides me.

"Shahwar, you have flour on your forehead."

My name sounded so different from the way he said it.I frowned realizing his words, my fingers instantly moving across my forehead to dust the flour.He shook his head and leaned closer.My breath hitched and I gulped down my now dry throat.He was standing in front of me and was very close, I barely reached his shoulder as his slender fingers brushed against my forehead.

My large eyes inspected his face.His high cheekbones and a sharp jaw.The lines on his forehead and his curly thick lashes.His crooked nose and the stubble adding the manly look to him.

My brown orbs connected to his green ones as he looked down at me.My eyes probably showed love but his were blank.No emotion in them except he felt to be in daze.Someone cleared their throat as I abruptly turned around to see a smirking Imraan with Ahya who was trying hard to control her laugh.

Salah's hand had dropped down by his side.Heat floated from my neck to my face as I looked down, quickly walking out of the kitchen.Running up to my room I closed the door.Geeting inside the washroom I opened the tap.

Splashing cold water against my hot cheeks and I tried to regain my breath.

My frozen mind functioning again.
Ya ALLAH! What just happened..

***
"No these would not look nice."

Talia rejected another pair of earring as I showed her another one.Talia had asked me to dress her up like I do.An odd request but I agreed.Now she wanted the perfect earrings for her dress.She picked up a pair of simple silver ones with sparkling stones, her eyes lit up.

"Can I take these one.I love them already."

They were a gift given to me by Daadi Maa but I nodded smiling.

She wore them and we both walked downstairs.Everyone was already in the hall chatting.As we stepped in, Salah looked up.His eyes widening as he stood up.But then I noticed his gaze wasn't directed to me.It was directed towards Talia.Mama saw us and said,

"Mash'ALLAH, Talia dear you look beautiful."

Talia smiled looking over to me.And Salah whispered.

"She sure does."

My gaze moved from his to Aunty Meena's.She was looking back at me, a worried expression on her face.I shook my head at her and moved towards Mama's side taking the place on the arm rest.Mama's hand instantly shot up to mine as she squeezed my fingers before kissing my palm.

I looked down at the lovely woman and wrapped my arm around her.Soon Talia and Salah too settled down.

"I want to ask something from you Bhaijaan."Uncle Yousuf said to Baba before sharing a look with his wife.Everyone expectant eyes waited for him to continue.My mind was telling it was something very important.

My eyes searched for Arsalan and I saw him leaning against the sofa on which his mother sat.His face as always devoid of emotion but when he noticed my stare he smile a tight smile.

Something important was coming..